Oscillating valves and geaeiwg foe pumping-ebtgines



4 Sheets-Sheet 1. C. A. WILSON.

Balance Oscillating Valve. No. 13.328. Patented July 24, 1855.

4 Sheet-Sheet 2.

CI Al Balance Oscillating Valve.

Patented July 24, 1855.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 4. C. A. WILSON.

Balance Oscillating Valve.

No. 13,328- Patented July 24, 1855.

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, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

G. A. WILSON, OF NEW'PORT, KENTUCKY.

OSCILLATING VALVES AND GEARING FOR PUMPING-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 13,328, dated July 24, 1855.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. WILSON, of the city of Newport, county of Campbell, and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Construction and Mode of Operating Oscillating Valves of Steam-Engines; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to letters and figures of reference marked thereon, observing that the same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures, viz:

Figure 1, is a vertical section through the axis of a steam cylinder and double action force pump, showing the valve and seat surmounting the cylinder.

Fig. 2 is a. plan of the cylinder on 1, 22, 33, 4, Fig. 1, and a part of R, the angle, that works the tripping apparatus V, the working lever; U the working rod connected to A B, the independent rod attached to and operated by the piston of the steam cylinder.

Fig. 3, represents a vertical section of the cylinder valve and seat through the axis of the cylinder showing the working lever V rod Uflindependent rod A B, angle R in front of the plane of section with B, the triplever; T, the toggle-joint; S, the upper lever; A D, its fulcrum a cast iron post; X, its cushion piston rod; Y, its cushion piston, or dash; Z, its cushioning cylinder or dash pot; H H, corresponding ports on opposite sides in the valve seat; F 3 F another pair of ports in the valve seat; H, steam passage from H* to side pipe, P F, steam port leading from F 4 to side pipeP; H steam port leading fromv H to side pipe P; F steam port leading from F to side pipe P; M M, hollow spaces filled with steam from the pipe; and forming a jacket for the valve; and L, the exhaust pipe. 7

Fig. 4,is a vertical section through the axis of the valve and seat, the parts shaded being in section; the black on the original drawing and the red in the amended drawing. V V is the hollow cylindrical, or, (as here shown) conical valve; J, the cylindrical steam chamber therein, opening at a a into the steam pipe; m, m, is one of the valve ports; and there is another directly opposite thereto, across the center, both of the same size and shape as the equal ports H H, F, and F in the valve seat, and one-half the area of H and F H and F in the bottom of the seat. K is an exhaust space formed by not having the shell of the valve a full cylinder or cone; N is a balance piston closing the end of the valve chamber having in front, 6 b, an annular recess precisely equal to a a, the annular recess at the other end of the valve. C is the balance valve stem, fitting neatly in a hole; A E, a solid axis screwed into Q, a circular guide plate attached to lugs on the valve seat. A C is a set-screw acting on the end of the stem 0 and forcing N, down on its seat, and at the same time pressing, if desirable, the oscillating valve 4) o more tightly into this seat which is beveled as shown. 0, is the safety arm, turning freely on it h, a boss or hollow axle projecting from the inside of the trip-lever. c c are two lugs, or jogs, on the end of the valve, extending to near the front or, right hand side, of the trip lever Q, embracing tightly the safety arm 0 and so regulated as to admit the necessary play of the trip-lever which striking against them alternately, in its descent, opens the valve-ports by turning the oscillating valve.

Fig. 5, is a partial underside'view of the valve tripping apparatus, consisting of the angle R, with L L its cams bearing, 1" r, set screws in L L for regulating nicely the time when these cams begin to act on the safety arm, for the purpose of cutting off the steam at any desirable period before the trip-lever, in its returning motion, passing the vertical plan through its axis, falls and knocks open the valve ports for the opposite end of the cylinder.

Fig. 6 is an exterior side elevation of the steam cylinder and valve gear; Fig. 7, is a plan of the same; Fig. 8, is an end elevation, of the same.

Fig. 9, is a plan showing the plate of the side pipe P P on which the valve seat rests, showing the ports H and F, double the area of the equal ports F F H and H in the valve seat, and H and F equal in area to either of them.

Fig. 10 shows the bottom of the valve seat, which sits on the side pipe plate, above described; M M, the cavities of the steam jacket and the four ports F H F and H equal and double the area of the openings F F H and H of the same cavities into the valve space shown in Fig. 11, a vertical section of the valve seat through the axis of the cavity,

showing the interior thereof, and W, the pipe, leading from the steam-pipe S into the j acket, around the valve.

Fig. 12 is a plan, and Fig. 13 an elevation of the valve, detached from its seat, show ing n n, the steamport therein, opposite to the steamport m m, Fig. 4, and K, the re cess for the side exhaust with m m, an aperture passing entirely through valve, dividing the chambered interior into two parts, the area of the cross section of either of which must exceed that of the port a a or m 117.. On the under side of the valve, opposite the recess K, is a similar recess, K, to receive the exhaust steam from the ports H and F whence it passes through 00 m as aforesaid. I

Fig. 15, is a crosssection of the oscillating valve on 1, 2-, Fig. 12.

Fig. 14, is an end elevation showing how the safety arm 0 fits in between the jogs on the end of the valve and the hole through which passes the boss on the trip-lever B which forms the journal for this safety arm.

Now my said improvements consist in more perfectly balancing cylindrical or conical oscillating valves of steam engines, during every part of the stroke, than has hitherto been done; in providing a readier and freer exhaust and an improved mode operating these valves. I now proceed to describe them, referring to the drawings as enumerated.

The exterior surface of the side pipe P P, Figs. 1, 3 and 9, suitably planed forms the valve seat plate, on which is bolted the valve seat M Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, of cast metal, having y 2 flanges for this purpose. This valve seat has an induction or steam channel S and an exhaust channel L leading into the valve chamber V V Figs. 11, 8 and 3. In the valve chamber V V are four equal rectangular openings symmetrically situated with reference to the axis of the chamber, (which may be cylindrical or the frustum of a cone), two of which F and H are seen in Fig. 11. A cross section of them and of H and F 3 the corresponding ones on the oppo site side of the chamber are seen in Figs. 1, and 3. From these openings F F" H H steam channels F and F H and H having cross sections of equal area and double that of the openings proceed to the bottom of the seat, coming out, as shown in Fig. 10, an underside View of this seat, directly over the openings marked in Fig. 9, with corresponding letters on the seat plate; whence the passages continue H and H into side pipe P" and F and F into end P of the side pipe, thus communicating by the ports Y and Y with opposite ends of the steam cylinder. It will be observed that the steam channels H and F are all the way of uniform size double that of their openings into the valve chamber; and that H and F are double the same openings until they reach the seat plate where the breadth continuing their length is reduced to one half leaving the passage still equal to its opening. Around the valve chamber is a hollow space M, Figs. 1,3 and 10, which filled with steam from S through the passage V Fig. 11, forms a steam jacket. Two lugs, Z Z, Figs. 8, 10 and 11, project from the side of the valve seat to support the guide plate Q, the use of which will hereafter be described.

The valve is a hollow cylinder or cone; the latter is preferably ground to fit the valve chamber having two apertures m m and n n, Figs. 1, 3 and 12, from the steam passage J, exactly equal and similar to the openings F F H and H in the valve chamber, and a recess 70, Fig. 1, on its exterior for an exhaust opening. When a double exhaust is provided, as is best in all, and necessary in larger engines, two such recesses are formed opposite each other the second shown in red'lines in Fig. 1, and a passage or exhaust port 00 m shown also in red lines in. Fig. 1, and more completely in Figs. 12, 13 and 15, is made through the valve, and opening into the exhaust L. Two jogs c c on the end of the valve embrace the safety arm 0 and project far enough beyond it to be operated on by the trip lever B which plays between them. In the end of the valve next the lugs is made an annular recess 6 Z), Fig. 4, having a seat ground to receive the balance piston N supported by its stem 6 running into the axis A E of the guide plate A where it is met and controlled by the set screw A C.

The operation of the balancing and exhaust in this valve are as follows, viz: Suppose steam from the pipe .9 to fill the valve cavities J, J, Figs. 4 and 15, the ports m m m being closed, by standing opposite solid parts of the chamber V V the balance piston N Fig. 4 being pressed down steam tight on its seat by the set screw A C, the steam passages J J being uniform in size or, symmetrical with reference to a section through the center and the annular space on the end a at exactly equal to that at b b, Fig. 1, the two parts being equal in area and diametrically opposite each other, it is plain the valve is in equilibrium under the pressure of the steam from the boiler. Now let the valve be revolved until the port m m is opposite H and n 01. F in the valveseat, as indicated in Fig. 1, the steam will pass from m m through H down H, and from n 17, through H down H into the steam pipe P leading to the right hand end of the cylinder and move the piston to the left. It is manifest that whatever the tension of the steam, it is uniform within the valve space and the valve still continues-in equilibrium with regard to pressure on the interior. If the exhaust be single and free through F the air passing out at the tension of the atmosphere there will be no pressure up through F against the solid part of the valve. If there be a double exhaust, as indicated by the red lines and space and passing through the valve, then the air will pass through F 3 into the recess K (in red,)

and thence through {E 00 into L the exhaust pipe, and through F as before, without disturbing the equilibrium of the valve; while all other parts resting steam tight against ground ports of the chamber receive no pressure. Hence it still remains perfectly balanced. Let us next suppose the valve, commencing return oscillation, begins to out off, since equal portions of the surface of the valve diametrically opposite each other interpose in front of the ports H and H and since the tension of the steam within the valve pipe and passages continues the same equilibrium is preserved. Meanwhile equal areas of the exhaust ports F and F are being closed by solid parts of the valve, but since these areas are diametrically opposite and the pressure of the escaping air, or exhaust steam, is equal on them and in opposite directions the equilibrium is still maintained. Suppose the cut off has been effected and the piston still moving forward in the stroke under expanding steam, the ports m m and n n in the valve being now opposite solid ports of the valve chamber the whole interior of the valve will be under the same tension of steam viz that of the boiler, and of course in equilibrium. Through the ports H and H in the valve seat the expansive steam will be pressing against the surface of the valve but the areas thus pressed being equal diametrically opposite and under the same tension the pressures destroy each other, and since the.

areas of the valve surface opposite the exhaust ports F and F are equal and diametrically opposite any pressures brought on them by unexpelled air or exhaust steam, will mutually destroy each other. Hence the valve is perfectly balanced within and without under all these circumstances, and as the opening of the opposite ports and a return stroke will only produce a repetition of the circumstances already explained the valve is a truly balanced oscillating valve.

From what has been noted of the escape of air through F and F into the exhaust spaces K and K thence into the exhaust pipe L the mode of exhausting steam is obvious.

The devices for operating this valve are as follows viz: A guide plate Q Figs. 6 and 7 attached by screws and to the lugs t 23, Figs. 10, 11 and 8, of the valve seat and bearing the axis A E, Figs. 4e and 11, screwed into its center and extending to face of the valve seat between the lugs Fig. 4 supports on the outside the angle R, Figs. 6

and 7, and the trip lever B, Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, on the inside. R turns freely on its journal A E, impelled by the working lever 10 attached to it by screws and operated on by the working rod 6 attached to the independent rod A B or to the piston rod C itself. Two cams L L extend from the inner face of R having notches clasping the edge of the guide plate Q and reaching beyond the inner face of this plate so that the jogs L and L shall in the oscillation of R be brought in contact with the lower ex- Ltremities of the trip lever B supported and turning freely on the axis A E, and the safety arm 0 supported and turning freely on a hollow axis h h, Fig. 4, projecting from the face of Q, see Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The upper end of Q, the trip lever is attached by a toggle joint coupling to the upper lever S Fig. 6 having its fulcrum at A D, and a piston attached to the rod X at the other end playing in a dash pot Z containing some soft elastic substance or, some fluid on which it may in falling cushion so as to prevent jarring. The extent of the arc embraced by the angle is regulated by the distance of its axis from the working. rod t and the length of the stroke so as to effect the desired opening and shutting of the valves hereafter described. The safety lever fits in between the jogs c c on the end of the valve as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14:. These devices thus operate the valve.

Let us suppose the parts in the position represented in Fig. 6, and the engine at rest, the steam ports in the valve being opposite solid parts of the chamber and of course closed; let steam into the valve which as we have shown is in equilibrium under all states of pressure interior and exterior. No motion will take place; apply pressure at the lower end of the safety arm,.which is attached to the valve as described and revolves freely the boss h h, the axis of which is exactly in the prolongation of that of the valve,move the end of the arm to the left until the ports m m and n a are brought opposite F and F The steam entering through the side pipe P will drive the piston back carrying with it by A B, U and U the angle R. The cam jog L in due time reaches the lower end of the trip lever B, Fig. 1, carries it forward toward. the left and brings the upper end of the lever and its toggle joint T in the opposite direction, this lever revolving freely on the axis A E as described. Meanwhile the valve with its safety arm 0, having nothing to move it, remains at rest until the cam-jog L (left hand) Fig. 5 reaches the lower end of the safety arm and carrying it with it begins to cut off the steam, the depth of the jog being so cut, or, better still, regulated. by set screws r 1, as to complete the operation at any desirable point before the trip &

lever has been brought into a vertical position. After the cut off is complete the piston moves on under expanding steam until just before reaching the end of the cylinder, the trip having been moved as stated, the toggle T passing the vertical through the axis of motion of the lever falls by its own weight and that of the lever S into the position indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 8 and by a sudden blow against the jogs 0 c on the end of the valve knocks open the ports H* and H admitting steam by P in the other end of the cylinder and causing a return stroke during which all the motions of the valve gear already described are repeated in a contrary direction. Instead of the upper lever s, an oscillating spring may be used.

In adapting the engine to pumps it is of great importance to have the depth of the cam jogs L on the angle so regulated as to cut off the steam just long enough before the commencement of the return to allow the flow of the current through the valves to subside and the valves to begin to seat themselves; otherwise the counter stroke will force them shut with a strong slam jarring as sharply the valve of a hydrostatic ram, and causing besides other injurious effects a loss of power: Hence the great convenience of the set screws 1' a", by which I can stop the slam of the valves, and jar of suddenly arresting the flow of the water with the engine moving under any pressure whatever. I must also distinctly state that I do not claim producing an equilibrium of pressure on the interior surface of the oscillating *alve. That has been more or less perfectly accomplished by many before me and probably by Mr. lVright, of Rome, N. Y., and by Bloomfields patents of A. D. 185a. But I have as I believe effected what we never before been accomplished in balancing all pressure both interior and eX- terior on the oscillating valve, arising from steam at the boiler tension, expanding or exhausting, while at the same time I have relieved it from all weight of Working gear so that it has nothing to impede its motion or cause wear in its chamber except the friction developed by the pressure required on N, Fig. 4 to produce a steam-tight joint, its own weight. It will also be observed by using the independent rod A B for working the valves, I economize space, which is of great importance especially in the steam fire engine to which my valve aparatus is highly necessary and has been applied while the cams L L which do the work of tripping move through little more than half the distance of the stroke thereby effecting a gain of power.

I claim 1. Balancing oscillating valves under all lateral pressures on the exterior arising from steam or air and regulating the eX- haust ports as described.

2. Balancing the end pressure on the interior caused by steam in conical valves by the annular recess 6 5 equal and opposite to a a and the balance piston or steam valve on abeveled seat as described.

8. Supporting the tripping apparatus, consisting of the angle, trip-lever, toggle joint, and upper lever or their equivalents so as to relieve the valve from all Weight and consequent friction and wear in the manner described.

4. Using the safety arm to insure and regulate the cut off, and the camjogs L L, of depth regulated by cutting set screws, or, other equivalent device, for operating the same as set forth.

5. Using the independent rod attached to the piston of the steam cylinder for working the valve gear whereby bringing the steam cylinder and pump close to each other space is economized while power is gained as has been described.

0. A. WILSON.

Vitnesses:

J osnrrr J ONES, Trnzor. T. KnoKELER. 

